Also, did any of you compare them against KraftMaid, Medallion or Holiday? I would like to know what you thought of this brand in comparison.

About my only complaint is that I can't contact the company directly. I'm having a cold war with my KD and would like to get touch up and stain stuff directly from Showplace when she's being difficult.

I can't compare it to any of the lines you mentioned, sorry. HTH.

We put down a 60% deposit and were told the cabinets would arrive in 5-6 weeks. They arrived more than 10 weeks later at the beginning of June. We did not receive our full order and what we received had numerous problems.

Of what we did receive, 90% of the doors and drawer faces had flaws that required replacement. The flaws included: chip outs at the panel joins, door insert panels had the wrong side facing forwards, glue rag marks, inconsistent and poorly sanded drawer panel ends, and staining flaws. Three of the cabinets were the wrong size and had to be reordered.

We were told the replacement order would be expedited due to the already lengthy delays we had experienced. Not true.

After another 8 weeks we received the replacement cabinets but had to wait another few weeks for the door and drawer faces (due to the significant number of flaws they had to have a special meeting which dragged the process out even longer). When they did arrive about 30% of the replacements had flaws that required they also be replaced. The dealer and Showplace's manufacturer's rep assured me they would be replaced. It is now the middle of October and our kitchen is still not finished. The dealer hasn't returned calls for 4 weeks. The manufacturer's rep on the other hand has returned calls and is looking into the situation.

Other than the poor delivery time, slow customer service, and poor quality finishing, I would also add that the cabinets do not have the build quality I expected or was led to believe that I would receive. On the plus side, the design is very nice, the frontal appearance is very good, and drawer construction is very solid. On the negative, the cabinet walls are only 3/8" plywood construction and the backs are at best an 1/8". The cabinets are poorly braced and my cabinet installer had to rebuild the oven cabinet so it would support our built-in oven. The thin wall construction means that the cabinets 'rack' easily making it very difficult for my cabinet installer to true them up during installation. But you will not find the cabinet wall thickness mentioned in any of Showplace's marketing materials. I sifted through their website and .pdf materials but cabinet wall thickness is artfully omitted.

In my opinion these cabinets look good but are not built to last. I have since learned that I could have had custom cabinets built with much higher quality for equivalent dollars. And if I had, my kitchen would be complete by now. My dealer told us we could expect our cabinet install to take 3-6 weeks from the time the cabinets arrived. It is now 5 months and it is still not done.

I've been selling them for about two years. It is my least expensive line, I am picky. I'm a small company and rely almost entirely on referrals for my work. I can't afford a brand with problems, had to drop two in the last three years. I've had very few problems with SWP (listed below). If I had the kind of issues some folks mention they would be gone.
I have used them often for secondary rooms in hi end homes and otherwise as for more mainstream kitchens. I did do one hi end home entirely with it.
FWIW I put them in my father's house and one of my own baths.

Problems-
Had to have one inset door replaced for fit- it arrived in two weeks from order.
I had one bath with color issues- sent in the sample chip of the color we expected, noted the issues. Had a replacement in 10 days. I couldn't ask for more than that.

On the plus side:
-They arrive like clockwork, consistently- whoever had trouble with delivery was likely a dealer problem.
-The customer support has been an a par with my hi end brands.
-Fit and finish has been consistently good, better than average for the price. They've been square and solid, I've had several installers rave, none of whom work for me. One said they go in like butter, another who installs mostly Kraftmaid went on about how straight and square they are in comparison..
--Matte or Satin finish available across the line at no charge.
-Match any paint color though SW is the most reasonable.
-Several nicer than the price specialty finishes.
-Wide selection of colors, styles, wood species and glazes are free (don't like the glazes on paint but love the brushed vintage finishes there which aren't free
-KCMA ESP certified

The line is very flexible allowing great design freedom (makes me happy anyway).

DOWNSIDES-
-The backs are thinner than I'd like but the hanging rails (solidly installed 5/8 ply) make up for that.
-I don't like the shelf clips- at all. I swap them out on every job. Plan on it.
-You can get a matching veneer interior but you can't get a standard maple or birch interior.
-As mentioned I'm not crazy about the glaze on paint but love the brushed vintage finish.

Construction:
is pocket hole frames with struts dadoed front to back (same as Medallion, Kraftmaid, others)
3/8 plywood sides (hardly unusual at the price but see upgrades below), melamine interior, blum glides, dovetail drawers, particle board shelves.
The inset line comes with full subtops standard, something that is an upcharge in my next more expensive line. The tolerance on the insets has been very good. (see below)

Upgrades- 1/2" sides and plywood shelves are each inexpensive upgrades, as are soft close drawers. Flush finished sides when specked are 5/8"

Any dealer can and should give you specs. I make sure people know them and hand out the spec sheet as needed. I keep two mini bases on hand so folks can see the construction and decide for themselves.

I have been so pleased with the company it bothers me to see them get a bad rap. I have yet to meet a dealer who has been thrilled with them. They may be out there, just not my experience.
My other 3 brands are all full custom.
Again, my apologies if anyone is offended.

Edited this to add what I often say- who you get your cabinets from is likely more important than any particular brand.

Now, between those, Showplace and New River---is there much difference in quality? I have researched the main differences that show up on the company websites as to box construction, etc but am now more concerned about aesthetics. We are looking to put these in the kitchen of approx $500,000. suburban home---I just want to keep in a quality line that will work for us but also for resale. Thanks so much for any input! Gardenweb is a great resource in a confusing remodel world!

New River/Embassy House upside
-standard- 1/2" sides
-veneer interior
-doweled frame construction also with struts
-1/4" back (and the shelf clips are good :)

Downsides-
-Chinese plywood
-Chinese drawer glides
-inset does not have a full subtop
-insets have large radius on edges making exposed hinges unavailable.
-Finished sides are a sheet of 1/4" ply tacked on
-Finish is a bit glossy for my taste, others will prefer it
-Specialty finishes are not as nice IMO
-No ESP certification

To compare pricing add to SWP -
for 1/2" ends about $9.30 wall cab, $18 base.
Ply shelves Per shelf- walls $13, base $27.
New River will still have better backs and veneer interior, SWP will have better drawer glides and finished ends.

I only add half inch sides on 27" and over unless client really wants it. I don't bother with ply shelves except walls 36 and over and even then rarely. Did neither in dad's house.
New River/Embassy House will typically cost more.

To an extent it comes down to what's important to you, and as always who you are dealing with. Can't, in good conscience, get into more than that.